The 2.5km cycle path, which is set to run from the Clontarf seafront to the junction of Talbot Street and Connolly station, will cost up to €7 million to construct. It will form part of the Sandycove to Sutton (S2S) cycleway.

While the majority of the proposed Clontarf path will be elevated and segregated from the road, it will run on to the road at certain points, such as bus stops and side roads.

On Amiens Street the number of traffic lanes will be cut, which councillors fear will result in a significant increase in traffic congestion.

Two lanes of general traffic heading north will be cut to one general lane and one bus lane under the new plans. Heading south, there would just be one lane shared by buses and cars and another used by cyclists.

City councillors objected to a number of aspects of the plans at a meeting yesterday and have delayed granting permission for the route until September.

Independent councillor Nial Ring said that the proposed route was ‘anti-motorist’ and would negatively affect the thousands of people who travel by car every day.

“This proposal to make Amiens Street one lane in and out from Talbot Street to Buckingham Street junctions is yet another example of the prolonged, continued and orchestrated attack on motorists in the City," he said.

Cllr Ring said that the proposed plan would result in a significant increase in traffic congestion in Dublin city and would be very negative for motorists.

"Most importantly, nobody has ever considered the effect of traffic congestion on the mental health of drivers, but increased road rage incidents indicate that driving is stressful enough without adding to journey times with this madcap lane reduction proposal.”